Bella Vista's Lincoln Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison

STAFF PHOTO Tracy Neal Leon Lincoln, 42, of Bella Vista is escorted Monday morning from the courtroom after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Lincoln admitted to stabbing Theresa Voshell to death and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
STAFF PHOTO Tracy Neal Leon Lincoln, 42, of Bella Vista is escorted Monday morning from the courtroom after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Lincoln admitted to stabbing Theresa Voshell to death and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

BENTONVILLE -- Leon Louis Lincoln on Monday faced the relatives of the woman he murdered.

"I'm sorry," a tearful Lincoln said. "I'm sorry. I wish I could take it back, but I can't."

Lincoln, 42, admitted he stabbed Theresa Voshell, 46, to death. Lincoln pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as a habitual offender. Lincoln had been convicted of nine prior felony offenses.

The plea came under an agreement Nathan Smith, deputy prosecutor, reached with Jay Saxton, chief public defender.

A jury trial was to start Sept. 9, but the guilty plea ended the criminal case.

Lincoln, dressed in black and white striped county jail attire, cried through much of the proceedings. The bailiff handed him a tissue and Lincoln wiped away tears.

Smith told Circuit Judge Robin Green that Lincoln and Voshell has a tumultuous relationship that was sometimes romantic. Lincoln stabbed Voshell multiple times, Smith said.

The two lived with others in a house at 12 Thaxted Drive in Bella Vista, Smith said. Lincoln was arrested Oct. 13, 2012.

Bryan Whitehead, the first Bella Vista police officer on the scene that October day, found Lincoln sitting in the road in the front of the home. Lincoln's right hand and arm had blood on them, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Police found Voshell in a second-floor room. She was covered in blood and had extensive cuts on her face and throat, according to court documents.

Lincoln apologized in court to Voshell's family for killing her. "I'm sorry," Lincoln repeated a few times.

Voshell's family didn't say anything during the proceedings.

Green accepted the plea agreement and Lincoln's guilty plea.

Lincoln was sentenced to 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He must serve at least 28 years before he will be eligible for parole. He must abide by a suspended-sentence agreement for 10 years after his release from prison.

"This resolution accomplishes two goals -- it imposes a serious punishment for the murder of Ms. Voshell and it spares her family from going through a trial that they wished to avoid," Smith said. "The family of Ms. Voshell strongly supported this resolution and I am hopeful that this will help them close a painful chapter in their lives."

Ken Farmer, Bella Vista police chief, sat with the Voshell family on Monday. Capt. Tim Cook had been the person from his office who talked with the family leading up to the plea deal. Cook was out of town and couldn't be at the hearing, Farmer said.

"We wanted to support the family," Farmer said. "I felt like someone should be here to support them."

NW News on 08/26/2014

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